Nightmare for Eddie Howe as Newcastle United now face Hugo Ekitike repeat just days later

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Newcastle United are facing a similar problem which forced them out of a deal for Hugo Ekitike, who is set to sign for Liverpool this summer.

The Magpies were dealt a hammer blow in their efforts to sign a new striker after Hugo Ekitike agreed to join Liverpool just days after their bid was rejected by Eintracht Frankfurt.

Newcastle United want a striker to partner Alexander Isak next season, but have been met with several obstacles they have not been able to overcome. Joao Pedro rejected Eddie Howe for Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, while Liam Delap also opted to play with his former head coach in London.

Ekitike is on Merseyside for his Liverpool medical after Arne Slot’s side were able to strike a deal with Frankfurt in the region of £70million.

After conceding defeat with Ekitike, Newcastle have begun work on finding players in other positions. A new report has stated an enquiry was made for one goalkeeper, but a familiar issue still remains.

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Newcastle United enquire about Lille’s Lucas Chevalier

Had Trafford joined, Newcastle would have been getting a goalkeeper who is coming off a brilliant season in the Championship, keeping a record 29 clean sheets.

However, Trafford is untested in European competition, so there would be initial concerns over getting him up to speed ahead of the Magpies’ return to the Champions League.

That desire has brought Newcastle to LOSC Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. The 23-year-old is also coming off a bright season, this time in Ligue 1. Chevalier kept 11 clean sheets in 34 league appearances and was their starting goalkeeper during last season’s Champions League.

According to Newcastle World, Newcastle made an enquiry for Chevalier after missing out on James Trafford, but have decided against pursuing a deal due to the finances involved in the deal. Burnley wanted as much as £40million for Trafford, and it is believed the Frenchman would cost just as much.

• READ MORE – Newcastle United will soon forget about James Trafford as ‘excellent’ target has just become available

Newcastle United face tough competition for Lucas Chevalier

After his promising season in Ligue 1, there is a lot of interest in the young shot-stopper. Newcastle clearly face an uphill battle to sign a new goalkeeper, even if they are not desperate to sign one this summer.

With backup options like Martin Dubravka aged 36 and John Ruddy aged 38, Newcastle will have to think about getting a new goalkeeper in January if it does not happen during this transfer window.

In June, Le Parisien reported that PSG are looking to sign Chevalier and see him as a replacement for Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is out of contract next year.

Having just won the Champions League and reached the final of the Club World Cup, PSG will undoubtedly be a very attractive option for Chevalier, especially if they can promise him a starting spot between the sticks.